Tuesday, January 13, 2009

What are the Health Benefits of Honey and Propolis?

The Good Doctor Fields Some Common Queries
By Ingrid Pincott, North Island MidWeek (Canada), 1/12/2009

Q. What are the benefits of honey?

Dr. P: Phytonutrients found both in honey and propolis have been shown to possess cancer-preventing and anti-tumor properties. These substances include caffeic acid methyl caffeate, phenylethyl caffeate, and phenylethyl dimethylcaffeate.

Researchers have discovered that these substances prevent colon cancer in animals by shutting down activity of two enzymes, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and lipoxygenase. When raw honey is extensively processed and heated, the benefits of these phytonutrients are largely eliminated.

Many people find it rather surprising that bacteria cannot grow in honey because all things being equal, bacteria loves sugar.

The unique chemical composition of low water content and relatively high acidic level in honey creates a low pH (3.2-4.5) environment that makes it very unfavourable for bacteria or other micro-organism to grow.

It also contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals.

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